Clasp for supporting garments



(N0 ModeL) G. W. LUCIE.

CLASP FOR SUPPORTING GARMENTS.

No 318,919. Patented May 26, 1885.

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GEORGE W. LUCE, OF ALBANY, NEW YORK.

CLASP FOR SUPPORTING GARMENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 318,919, dated lflay26, 1885.

Application filed February 27, 1885. (No model.)

To (0225 whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. Loon, a citizen of the United States,residing at Albany, in the county of Albany and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Clasps, of which thefollowing is a specification, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings.

My invention relates to that class of clasps which in one form of useare connected to one end of an extensible elastic suspending'strap, andare designed to detachably grasp a fold of stocking or half-hose, theother end of the strap being adapted, by means of button-engaging orother similar devices, for attachment to the person of the wearer, theclasp, strap, and attaching device constituting a stocking or hosesupporter.

The object of my invention is to furnish a clasp of compact durablestructure, readily and economically manufactured, and which will performits required functions with certainty, retaining the stocking or otherfabric hereinafter mentioned constantly and without injury when inoperative position, but easily and instantly detachable at the will ofthe wearer. For the accomplishment of these ends I have devised theconstruction hereinafter described and claimed, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is afront plan view of myimproved clasp, together with my preferred form of supporting-strap andbutton-engaging device. Fig. 2 is a like view of the clasp alone, and

3 is a rear plan view of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts throughout theseveral views.

A B are two clampingjaws pivoted together at M, where they are providedwith overlapping extensions P Q, rounded oif, as shown, so as to presentno sharp external angles or Above the pivotal point the jaws are for asuflifiient distance provided with opposite parallel bearing or claspingedges L N. At their outer extremities the jaws sep arate and are pivotedat'K Rto the arms CD, which terminate at their ends in enlarged pressingprojectionsF G. A spiral spring, 13,, joins the arms 0 D, of suchtension as to draw said arms toward each other.

Between the spring and the pressing projections F G extend the brancharms H I,

pivoted to each other at J. These branch connected arms serve also as ameans of attachment of the clasp to its buckle-strap S.

The main parts of the clasp are preferably made of sheet metal cut outor stamped from suitable blanks, and perforated thereafter for thepivot-holes. The arm C, its branch H, and pressing projection F are alsopreferably formed from a single piece of metal, twisted in such mannerthat the projection F shall stand substantially at right angles to thesurface of the arms. The arm D, its branch arm I, and projection G aresimilarly constructed.

The parts being arranged and connected as described, the operation of myinvention is as follows: When not in use, the clamp presents theappearance shown in the drawings, the spring Etending to draw the arms 0D toward each other. The jaws A B are affected in like manner, and theclamping-surfacesL N are held firmly together.

When it'is desired to attach the clamp to a stocking, sock, or otherfabric, the pressing projections 13 G are forced toward each other bymeans of the thumb and forefinger. The branch arms H I accordingly rockon their pivot J, and the arms 0 D and jaws A B recede from each otheragainst the tension of the spring E. The clampingsurfaces L N are alsodrawn apart and a vertical fold of the fabric is placed between them.The pressing projections are thereupon released and the clamping-edgesspring toward each other, grasping the stocking-fold between them.

The clamp can be detached at will by simply forcing the pressingprojections toward each other, as before, until the clamping-edgesrelease their hold upon the fabric, whereupon the latter may be at oncewithdrawn.

To those acquainted with the defects and disadvantages of many analogousdevices up on the market the merits of my improved construction will beimmediately apparent. The ease and rapidity with which it is adj ust edand detached effect a notable saving of time and trouble to the wearer.No sharp corners or projections are present to tear the clothing orotherwise occasion inconvenience. By reason of the overlapping jaws theclasped fabric is not lacerated. The positive action of the springmaintains the clamping action constantly until voluntarily released,thereby IOC) preventing accidental disengagement; and, finally, theconstruction, while simple and durable, is pleasing to the eye.

It is evident that my improved clasp can be applied to many uses otherthan as a stocking-supporter. Thus it may be used in connection with asleeve-holder, napkin-supporter, trousers -.suspender, and generallywherever it is found useful to have a readilyreleasable clamping orclasping action upon a fabric.

While I prefer, as hereinbefore stated, to construct the main parts ofmy clamp from sheet metal, it is evident that they may in someinstances, if desired, be made of other material having the sufficientdegree of strength and tenacity. It is apparent, moreover, that variousmodifications can be made in the general structure that would stillfallwithin its principle of action. I do not therefore desire to restrictmyself to the exact construction shown, but desire to be understood asclaiming all such obvious equivalents there of as fairly fall within thescope of my inven tion.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and wish to secure byLetters Patent, 1s-- 1. A clasp for stocking-supporters and the likehaving pivoted clamping jaws closing toward each other edgewise, pivotedarms attached to the outer ends of said jaws and ham ing branch armspivoted together, and a spring GEORGE W. LUOE.

Witnesses:

L. Lawson, HENRY E. STERN.

